Chelsea news: Agbonlahor fumes at ‘most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard’ after twist
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted the request from Chelsea to play their FA Cup quarter-final with Middlesbrough behind closed doors was “the most ridiculous thing” he has ever heard.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England defender claimed Chelsea’s decision-makers need to think before making requests like this in future.
They released a statement just after midday yesterday (15 March) revealing they had requested that their trip to Middlesbrough be played without supporters as they were unable to sell tickets to their own fans.
Chelsea were not allowed to sell more tickets to their fans because of sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovic by the UK government.
The London giants cited reasons of “sporting integrity” and a Boro statement less than two hours later bit back labelled that reason as “ironic in the extreme”.
By 5 pm, the FA released their own statement confirming Chelsea had withdrawn their original request.
Asked for his take on the situation, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “It didn’t make sense to me.
“Why would Middlesbrough lose out on income from tickets sold, stop their fans coming to watch their big game and give up their advantage. It was such a strange request.
“Whoever is making those decisions at Chelsea needs to think first because it’s probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
Chelsea’s on-field form has not suffered despite being under strict sanctions.
They are currently third in the Premier League, 11 points off leaders Man City with a game in hand.
In other news, an insider has tipped Tottenham tipped to agree a £500million deal thanks to Roman Abramovic.